Scenic 395 - The Official Guide 2026

2026 Scenic 395 13 Ridgecrest Cycling the Eastern Sierra: mountains, desert, California’s ultimate bike route By Gigi de Jong Scenic 395 Contributor The Eastern Sierra stands apart as one of California’s most dramatic cycling des- tinations. Situated on the east side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, this region is one of the most topographically diverse and beautiful landscapes in our country. It appears to be a place where time has stood still, with vast plains of uncultivated lands and small towns that are few and far be- tween. For cyclists, this solitude is a gift. Scenic US Highway 395 is the thread that connects this remarkable region, running through two of California’s least populated yet most geographically diverse counties. These two counties combined, Inyo andMono, represent 10%of Cali- fornia’s total land area, and what’s more remarkable is that over 90%of this land is designated as public lands. That’s a lot of space to ride a bicycle. This is country where you can ride for hours on lightly trafficked roads without encountering a stop sign or traffic light, where mountain roads climb to pristine forests and deep blue lakes, and com- munity trails weave through rural towns with modern amenities. The topographi- cal extremes create a year-round cycling paradise; when snow blankets the high country, riders descend to the warm des- ert valleys, when summer heat bakes the valley floors, the mountains offer refresh- ing escapes. Earth’s Extremes: Death Valley and Lone Pine Begin your journey in a land of extremes. Inyo County is home to both the lowest and highest points in the contiguous Unit- ed States. In the winter months, Death Valley National Park is a premier desti- nation. A classic route takes you fromFur- nace Creek to Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. For a spectacular finish, loop back via Artists Drive, a one-way scenic road that weaves through a rugged canyon etched by wind and water, revealing rock layers in a rainbow of earthy colors. Moving north to Lone Pine, the land- scape shifts from desert basin to granite giants. Mountain bikers should explore the Mobius Arch Loop. This 5-mile ride weaves through the Alabama Hills, offering fun single-track that navigates through rock formations and sagebrush. The reward is the Mobius Arch itself, which almost perfectly frames Mt. Whit- ney — the highest point in the lower 48 at 14,505 feet — in the distance. This moder- ately challenging trail suits intermediate riders and rewards with sweeping views across plains rising to snow-capped peaks. The Challenge of the Giants: Indepen- dence and Big Pine As you travel north on US-395, you reach Independence. Here, serious road cyclists can test their mettle on Onion Valley Road. Consistently ranked as the See Cycling on Page 14 Family cycles along Warm Springs Road in early spring. The road has little traffic and a fantastic view of the snow-covered Sierra Nevada in the distance. Photo by Gigi de Jong